Self pay and complications
So here's the big question. What if a person has surgery and than has complications? Is it possible to get medical assistance if complication arise? Or would you be in debt the rest of your life? Kind of scary.
HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly
108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!
(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)
In the US, you can go to any hospital emergency room in the event of a medical emergency, and they are required to provide treatment even if you cannot pay. They only have to provide the treatment necessary to alleviate the emergency, though. Like, if you were in severe pain and they determined you had an ulcer and were dehydrated, they would give you IV fluids and then write you a script for ulcer medication (unless you needed to be admitted for a bleeding ulcer or something) and then send you home. You'd have to come up with the money to fill the prescription and arrange for the necessary follow up care.
If you are going to self-pay, I would talk to your surgeon about what would happen in the event of complications. Ask him what sort of payment arrangments he would make with you or if you would have to pay at the time of service, etc. Most people don't have complications, but it could always happen. You don't want to be in pain or dangerously ill and unable to make an appointment with your surgeon because you're short on cash.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Thanks Kelly. I think I will ask my surgern than once I meet him.
HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly
108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!
(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)
My insurance so far covered all of the surgeries - i had a copy as I would normally have. My blood work - is also covered - and my doc make sure doe snot put the reason for my extensive blood work - WLS surgery.
The insurance will have to prove (and I do not think they could) that my issues were result of the WLS. I think RNY contributed to the issues (rapid weight loss may cause hernia and GB issue) and so on.
Direct post op complications - I was lucky not to get any.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
The prices don't seem too bad. I looked at the cost for facelift coverage, and it was only 350.00. Riskier proceedures have higher premiums.
Now, I know you said that you had already ruled out Mexico and were staying in the U.S., but I thought I'd post this in case you decide to go out of country. Costa Rica has some good gastro docs, too, btw.
Here's a link to one of the companies so you can see what I'm talking about, but I know nothing about this company. Just found it when doing a quick search...
http://www.medtrava.com/
I have Blue Cross insurance, and I don't know what would be covered if you had a problem with a self-pay surgery. I do know that CIMA hospital in Costa Rica is a Blue Cross provider, and was told at CIMA when I checked in that my insurance would cover me in the event of complications. Don't know if that's true or not, though.
HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly
108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!
(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)
